Rye Welcomes Benoit Viellefon

Benoit Viellefon's prolific career has seen him play over 100 gigs a year, including regular Sunday nights at Ronnie Scott's, making him a staple of the London jazz scene. Born in Douai, northern France, Viellefon moved to the USA in 1997 and then to London in 1998, where he became a session guitarist and a fixture of the vintage cabaret scene.

His musical journey began with touring in Europe and Japan as lead guitarist with groups including The Trojans, Prince Buster, and Gaz Mayall. In 2009, he formed his seven-piece swing orchestra, which drew strong attention on the capital's vintage cabaret circuit. Two years later, he formed the Hot Club, a five-piece gypsy jazz band inspired by the 1930s and 1940s Parisian cafés.

Viellefon's music is a unique blend of swing, gypsy jazz, French chanson, and Latin American music, sung largely in French. His bands have played at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Glastonbury's Jazz Stage. On Friday, 27 November 2026, Benoit Viellefon will perform at The Grapevine in Rye, alongside guitarist Jarrod Elks. Tickets are on sale with the button beside the article.